Royal Australian Navy Marks 70th Anniversary of Loss of HMAS Yarra II

Members of the Royal Australian Navy paused this weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of one of Australia’s most tragic naval losses of World War II.

On 4 March 1942, HMAS Yarra (II) was escorting a small convoy from Java to Australia when a superior force of Japanese warships came into view. The Australian sloop bravely turned towards the enemy to defend her charges, but was mortally out gunned. 138 Australian sailors died making a final stand under the command of Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Rankin. This act of courage has since drawn national admiration and praise.

Yarra had a crew of 151 men of whom only 13 survived. They spent five days in a life raft before being rescued by a Dutch submarine.

On Sunday, members of the current HMAS Yarra attended a solemn ceremony in Newport, Melbourne, to remember those who lost their lives. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AM, CSC, RAN also attended along with the sole surviving witness to that day, Mr Bernard Higgins. Now 88, Mr. Higgins was serving on TS Anking which was part of the convoy being escorted by Yarra. His vessel was also sunk that day.

Vice Admiral Griggs said the anniversary of HMAS Yarra’s loss underlined the importance of the protection of shipping and the importance of our sea laws.

“Last week Navy celebrated its 111th birthday and it is appropriate that we remember our journey to this point. On this important day, we acknowledge the lives lost, the sacrifices made and the selfless service given by tens of thousands of fellow Australians.

“The story of Yarra is a special one. The ship had seen action in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean. This commemoration also reminds all of us in this uniform what can be asked of us as part of a combat force.”

HMAS Yarra (IV) is the sixth of six Huon Class minehunters built in Newcastle. She was commissioned on 1 March 2003. Like her sister ships, Yarra‘s unique hull design is shock resistant with a low magnetic and acoustic signature. This allows the ship to operate in hostile mine environments.

Maritime Reconnaissance and Surveillance Technology 2017

After last year’s huge success the SMi Group is proud to announce the 2nd Maritime Reconnaissance and Surveillance Technology. The event will be held in Rome on the 30th and 31st of January 2017.

Based on the success of the 2016 conference, we aim to replicate and improve by providing a more regional focus, not just on the Mediterranean, but other areas of interest including the Black Sea and further beyond in the Asia Pacific region. All of which have keen collective interest on ensuring the safety and security of legitimate maritime activities.

This high level meeting will bring together senior military leadership, project decision makers, technical experts and cutting edge industry solution providers to explore future endeavours that will enhance the security and stability of the world’s oceans.

The 2017 programme will:

Provide a wider regional focus outside of the Mediterranean where challenges are also persistent

Feature high ranking military personnel involved with the enhancement of maritime surveillance platforms and systems

Present a running theme on the importance of information sharing as operations are increasingly conducted at an international level

Include Informal networking time to talk to peers and colleagues also shaping and influencing Maritime ISR programs today

Allow learning on how other nations are developing their maritime surveillance and reconnaissance provision from past experience and cutting edge research and development

Get to the heart of challenges faced by modern maritime forces such as capability gaps and what requirements they now have